Pressure device for the strings of pianos.



PATENTED MAY 19, 1908.

W. D. SUMLIN. PRESSURE DEVICE FOR THE STRINGS OF PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.13. 1907.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM D. SUMLIN, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

PRESSURE DEVICE FOR THE STRINGS OF PIANOS.

Application filed September 13, 1907.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM D. SUMLIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pressure Devices for the btrings of Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to improvements in pianos, and particularly to improvements in pressure devices for the strings of pianos.

It has heretofore been quite common in some types of pianos to employ an integral or removable pressure bar upon the stringlate of the piano to hold or press the strings irmly in engagement with the scale-rib, such pressure bar being arranged between the rib and the tuning pins or pegs to which the strings are at one end attached.

In some cases the bar has abroad face to bear upon the strings, while, in others the bar is formed or provided with a thin longitudinal strip, fin or rib to bear upon the strings, the construction in both of such cases being objectionable for the reason that the strings are permitted to slip and work out of proper spaced arrangement, with obvious disadvantages.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a construction of pressure bar by which the strings will not only be held firmly in engagement with the scale-rib, but also held evenly and firmly spaced.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation showing a portion of the upper part of the casing of an upright piano, the lid being thrown back to expose the strings and pressure bar. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the stringplate and a cross-section through the pressure bar. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary inner face view of the pressure bar. Fig. 4 is a side view of the same. Fig. 5 is a cross-section through the bar on line 55 of Fig. 3. Figs. 6 and 7 areviews illustrating a modification.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a piano casing, and 2 a stringplate therein, across which are stretched the strings 3, which are attached at one end to the tuning pins or pegs 4 carried by said plate.

The pressure bar 5 which holds the strings in contact with the scale-rib 6 formed or provided on the plate 2, and which extends Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 19 1908.

Serial No. 392,778.

across the gang of strings between the scalerib and the tuning pins, is shown in the form disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, as a detachable strip curved in the conventional manner and formed with a rounded face 7 for contact with the strings.

Openings 8 are provided at intervals in the bar for the passage of screws or other like fastenings 9 to secure said bar to the stringplate. Upon the curved bearing face of the ar is formed or provided a longitudinal central rib or fin 10. This construction of the bar with a rib or fin is not broadly new, but, where heretofore employed, the rib has been provided with a straight or continuous bearmg edge to engage the strings, which, being unrestrained, except by the insufficient bearing pressure of the bar, against lateral movement, frequently slip and work out of proper relative spaced arrangement. In order to obviate this objection, I provide the rib 10 with transverse grooves or notches 1 1 for the passage of the strings and in which the strings are held against lateral movement, the grooves providing in effect pins or projections 12 extending between the groups of strings and holding them properly spaced. As a result of this construction, the strings are simultaneously held s acedrelative to each other and maintaine with the desired pressure in contact with the scale-rib 6.

It will be understood that the detachable mounting of the bar 5 permits the same to be applied after the application of the strings and conveniently removed for repairs, but, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the bar 5 may be cast integral with the plate 2, in which event the strings are run or passed under the same and through the groove 1 1 when they are be ing strung or unstrung.

Having thus described the invention, what I'claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a piano, the combination of a stringplate, tuning-pins carried thereby, a scale-rib upon the stringplate, strings extending over and bearing on the rib and secured at one end to the tuning-pins, and a pressure-bar connected with the-string-plate and extending across and bearing upon the strings between the pins and rib, said bar being provided upon its bearing face with spaced projections between which the strings pass, said projections being arranged to bear on o posite sides of the strings to prevent latera movement thereof.

2. In a piano, the combination of a stringplate, tuning-pins carried thereby, a scale-rib upon the string-plate, strings extending over and bearing on the rib and secured at one end to the tuning-pins, and a pressure-bar connected with the string-plate and extending across and bearing upon the strings between the pins and rib, said bar being provided upon its bearing face with transverse grooves or notches forming spaced projections between which the strings pass, said projections being arranged to bear on opposite sides of the strings to prevent lateral movement thereof.

3. In a piano, the combinationof a string plate, tuning-pins carried thereby, a scale-rib upon the string-plate, strings extending over and bearing on the rib and secured at one end to the tuning-pins, and a pressure-bar connected with the string-plate and extending across and bearing upon the strings between the pins and rib, said bar being provided upon its bearing face with a longitudinal fin or rib having transverse grooves or notches forming spaced projections between which the strings pass, said projections being arranged to bear on opposite sides of the strings to prevent lateral movement thereof.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM D. SUMLIN I/Vitnesses J. M. QUICK, T. S. GALLoWAY. 

